Dewhurst, Patrick debate again ahead of Tuesday runoff.

1of4David Dewhurst has held the lieutenant governor's position for 11 years.Photo: Ricardo B. Brazziell, Associated Press

2of4Dan Patrick is a second-term state senator and is expected to win the vote.Photo: Ricardo B. Brazziell, Associated Press

3of4During the debate, Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst said he has shown the ability to lead the state and the integrity to bring lawmakers together.Photo: Ricardo B. Brazziell, Associated Press

4of4State Sen. Dan Patrick told the audience gathered at the Tenroc Ranch that he would bring new energy and passion to the office.Photo: Ricardo B. Brazziell, Associated Press

SALADO — After weeks of increasingly personal attacks culminating in a leak last week of documents about decades-old mental illness, reporters and voters came to a ranch here Tuesday night expecting fireworks in the final debate between Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst and his challenger, state Sen. Dan Patrick.

Instead, they were treated to a civil and calm — if occasionally surprising — discussion of a plethora of issues on the mind of the Central Texas Tea Party.

On climate change and gay marriage, and University of Texas Regent Wallace Hall and Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling, the candidates fought to frame themselves as the more conservative and effective choice in next week's primary runoff.

But they largely agreed on almost every question, breaking little new ground in a race that Patrick is expected to win.

As in past debates, Dewhurst, an 11-year incumbent, said he has shown the ability to lead the state and the integrity to bring lawmakers together. And Patrick, a second-term senator, said he would bring new energy and passion to the office.

As in the past, both candidates criticized the federal government and pledged to work to lower property taxes and secure the border.

Dewhurst said he believed in the principles of the tea party before it was even formed.

Patrick said that President Barack Obama thinks he is God.

Neither made much of any mention of the mental-health documents, which showed Patrick was hospitalized and treated for severe depression and a suicide attempt in the 1980s.

Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson, who has endorsed Dewhurst and hasn't hidden his dislike of Patrick, released the documents in an attempt to paint Patrick as unfit for office. But many believe the move backfired, drawing condemnation from other state officials, generating sympathy for Patrick and sparking outrage at Dewhurst.

On Tuesday night, Dewhurst said early in the debate that he wanted the night to be about issues and “not about any controversy.”

“This is not about an argument between Jerry Patterson and anybody,” he said.

Patrick said afterward that he was not going to raise the issue: “I have not run a negative campaign,” he said. “I have not issued one personal attack against him.”

The candidates actually have run a deeply personal campaign, especially since a March 4 primary that Patrick won with 41 percent of the vote. Dewhurst was second with 28 percent.

Since then, the two frequently have called each other liars in debates and advertisements.

But at the Tenroc Ranch here Tuesday, in front of about 50 tea party supporters sporting t-shirts with messages such as “Liberalism: Moochers electing looters to steal from producers,” the candidates largely stuck to the issues.

Dewhurst and Patrick both said the government should not spend any money to address climate change and reiterated that they will fight to ensure marriage is between one man and one woman.

One of the only significant areas of disagreement came during the discussion about Wallace Hall, the UT regent who's facing impeachment for allegedly bullying campus officials, making burdensome public-records requests and releasing confidential student information.

Patrick said he is glad Hall is looking into campus issues and has refused to resign, while Dewhurst said that as lieutenant governor, he must remain impartial in case the impeachment comes before the Senate.

Otherwise, the only surprising moments came after two unexpected questions from moderator Lynn Woolley, a local radio host.

In light of the recent botched execution in Oklahoma, Woolley asked, should Texas consider bringing back the firing squad?

Both candidates supported Texas' current execution system.

And in light of the recent remarks by LA Clippers owner Donald Sterling, Woolley asked, should the owner of an NBA team lose a team over racist remarks?

Patrick said yes, while Dewhurst said it was up to the other owners.

The runoff is next Tuesday. The winner will face state Sen. Leticia Van de Putte, a San Antonio Democrat.